Vocal Voices

Which do you drive?

For 36 years I have driven a manual, was quite happy. Loved my Qashqai and went along with those that said 'automatic? No I like to drive"

Well it turns out I dont. I have had my automatic Ford B-Max for 4 months. It was Luke's ex-mobility car, so we didnt buy it through choice but it is mine now and I love it.

Tim took it today as he had to go to Nottingham, I had his manual B Max and I hated it. I dont think I will ever go back to manual now. There is something so relaxing about driving an automatic.

And as for my next car, well Luke now has a gorgeous burnt orange Nissan Qashqai automatic, I am saving my pennies

Those car names sound very romantic
And quit mystic M M myself I haven't a clue
Just keep driving

Manual.

Master O couldn't get the hang of the gearstick when he learnt to drive, but eventually passed with an automatic (which I think does not entitle him to drive a manual car, is that right?).

The only time I have driven an automatic was back in the 1980's when I was out auditing on a client's premises. The Financial Director enlisted me to go with him to a local garage where he was picking up his car. I wondered why.
When we got there, he said "You drive it back, I want to get my head down in the well and see if they finally got that dashboard rattle fixed."

So I had to drive a completely unfamiliar car with a completely unfamiliar gear system two miles down country roads back to base.

It was only a flippin' Jaguar ......

Manual...always, always, always.

I actually like driving, I find it relaxing, in a strange sort of way. Changing gears keeps me "involved" and alert.

thats right, if you have an automatic licence you cannot drive a manual, makes sense to me I have to say.

To be honest I did drive an automatic years ago. When I passed my test in 1986 my Uncle went to work on Oman and lent me his car A Granada Ghia 2.8 automatic. Me, that only passed my test the week before. Looking back now I bet I wasnt insured. I loved it, but it was big and powerful. I got into some bad habits driving that, like freewheeling round corners, a habit I have never lost. It's also the reason why I never use my hand break from the moment I leave home until I get where I am going. I dont ride the clutch, I sit with the clutch in and my foot on the brake. I have very good clutch control, well I did have. Not sure Tim's B Max would agree today.

Workingman wrote:Manual...always, always, always.

I actually like driving, I find it relaxing, in a strange sort of way. Changing gears keeps me "involved" and alert.

I hate driving, it's a necessary evil but I do really like driving my little B Max I have to say. I actually feel more alert now the only thing I have to worry about is steering and braking.

I also love my reverse sensors. Never had them before, I had a camera in my Qashqai, but I still had to be the one to spot anything lurking behind us. Never did get the hang of driving backwards while looking forwards

Mirrors mirrors mirrors Shell

Never driven an automatic, so I’m a purist regarding manual driving, like WM I like to think I’m in control of the car, not the other way around. Glad you’re enjoying the auto though x

I have my preferences. Heavy traffic and traffic jams, Auto all the way. I can't be faffed with the clutch. We have both auto and manual. My car I just bought is an auto. The 17 year old (I think), C3 is a manual.

I prefer driving a manual in most circumstances especially overtaking on tight roads. I have a 160bhp engine in the car but it accelerates like a tractor for the first 5 seconds as the auto box absorbs all the power.

Having driven everything from 10t fully crash gearboxes through 12 speed constant mesh artic and up to my current 8 speed auto, I can say that I'm relatively happy with the Auto but there are times when I miss the manual. Mind you when it all goes electric you're not getting either a clutch or a gearbox anyway. 1 gear and no clutch. Accelerate and, if needed, brake. The motor will supply braking right down to a stop and you will only need to brake if it is urgent.

At that point the concept of a manual or auto driving license will be legacy and moot. All new drivers will be electric. I hope to see it.

My last three cars have been automatic and I would never go back to a manual.

I’ve only driven an automatic once when visiting my friend in Boston. Edward said I was not to come home without having tried to drive over there so my long suffering friend sat beside me in her car as I tried to negotiate driving an automatic AND being on the wrong side of the road It was not fun. I drive mostly because I have to as Edward doesn’t, but I don’t particularly enjoy it and driving at night is becoming more difficult. I don’t mind changing gear though.